2019 English Learner Symposium

In this session, a new—and free—high school ELA curriculum, offered through the California State University system and piloted in multiple school districts, will be shared: the Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum with ELD (ERWC-ELD). The curriculum includes modules for grades 9-12, each with two companion courses. One course focuses on ELA with integrated ELD and a companion course (designated ELD) builds into and from the ELA course. The curriculum modules focus on issues of social justice and culturally and linguistically relevant topics that are of high interest to diverse youth. Professional learning and module activities provide explicit guidance to teachers on developing students’ understanding of rhetoric, critical reading skills, metalinguistic awareness, and academic speaking and writing competencies. Activities are designed for students to develop autonomy and transfer the skills they learn to other contexts.
The focal English learners for the curriculum are students at the Expanding and Bridging levels of English language proficiency (based on the ELD Standards), with a particular emphasis on students who have been identified as or who are at risk of becoming Long-term English Learners. The project aims to accelerate EL students’ disciplinary language and literacy development and academic progress so that they not only reclassify from EL status but, more importantly, are able to fully participate in intellectually robust high school coursework and are prepared for college, careers, and civic engagement.
Teachers report that because the curriculum provides substantial guidance on how to facilitate extended academic discussions and scaffold critical reading and academic writing competencies, the quality of class discussions and student writing products has improved significantly. In this highly interactive session, participants will have a chance to explore the curriculum, and information about where to learn more will be shared.